Among the 13 new electric or hybrid vehicles that Ford promises to have ready in the next five years will be an F-150 pickup truck with a hybrid powertrain. Ford previously announced it would be ready by 2020.

As part of this commitment, Ford also announced at the 2017 Work Truck Show in Indianapolis that it will expand its Advanced Fuel Qualified Vehicle Modifier program to include companies that develop electric and hybrid technology to help make large and small fleets more fuel efficient. Launched as the eQVM program, it already has three qualified companies: XL Hybrids, Lightning Hybrids and Motiv Power Systems. They will work to provide range-extending capabilities for the entire lineup of Ford pickups, from the light-duty F-150 to F-750 medium-duty work trucks. The program allows Ford to keep in close contact with the powertrain suppliers so that upfitted vehicles retain their factory powertrain warranty. A side benefit of Ford working so closely with these companies is that Ford gets to see what systems work best and provide the best reliability.

Ford hasn't said what type of hybrid powertrain will power the next-generation F-150, but given that there are three eQVM-certified companies, the options are wide open. XL Hybrids provides plug-in hybrid systems; Motive Power Systems builds all-electric powertrains; and Lightning Hybrids uses a unique hydraulic energy accumulator to provide alternative thrust for large work trucks. Hybrid technology experts say the biggest challenge in making full-size pickups more efficient with hybrid powertrains is battery efficiency and how the systems respond to pulling or hauling heavy loads.

We expect the F-150 hybrid to debut in two years, likely in the higher trim levels first before rolling out more widely later. Of course, it wouldn't surprise us at all if this technology also was made available to the fleet and commercial markets at the same time.

Is it about using less fossil fuel? Or is it about saving money? Is it about less pollution?

Any or all of those could be good reasons, but I'm wondering how often Ford engineers get called out because their trucks aren't more contemporary in this regard.

We know now that fuel prices have been through periods of stability (and instability) during the last 40 years. We also know that green politicians have wept rivers of tears over their belief that internal combustion engines are "destroying" the planet. Most importantly we now how to fix it, with regard to making cleaner fuels and engines more abundant and available.

What we don't seem to see is a lot of demand from consumers for big changes in propulsion technology. It seems to vary sharply depending on the price of fuel. The price we pay for fuel at the gas pump is almost entirely dependent on the buying power of the US dollar, which these days is stronger than it's been since the 1990s.

Hard to imagine buyers flocking to spend big bucks on hybrid powertrains as long as pump prices remain stable.

Posted by: papajim | Mar 15, 2017 4:22:57 PM

Oh goodie an electric or hybrid Ford Lemon....I bet it will come with that Ford tone-technology!

@papa jim--The price of producing a hybrid system has actually gone down and with new smaller batteries being develop with better range this makes sense. Eventually most vehicles will have some form of hybrid system. Toyota has had nearly 20 years to fine tune the hybrid system. At least with the hybrid you don't have to worry about running out of a charge and the technology has been proven. Locomotives have had a diesel and battery hybrid system for 60 years with GE leading in the technology. At this point it is more about clean air but regardless this technology has become so common place that the extra cost to manufacturer has become less significant.

So Ford let's outside companies research and develop hybrid powertrains for ford vehicle upfit. And ford hangs back a ares what works best. Better keep plans and patents gaurded. Maybe they want more than Toyota gave them.

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 15, 2017 7:10:06 PM

Didn't GM make a hybrid truck and SUV in mid 2000s? No one wants to pay that huge added cost for the extra couple mpg you get.

Posted by: Ram man | Mar 15, 2017 8:14:00 PM

That is what Koei Saga said in '15, ford offered nothing said they have better system and ran with Toyota's plans. There was no lawsuit involved that I know of. Would appreciate a link to see it daddy doe

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 15, 2017 9:35:48 PM

a diesel hybrid F350 would be sweet. Especially if it could get 30mpg empty, 15-20mpg with a big trailer.

Posted by: Alex | Mar 15, 2017 10:10:46 PM

If hybrid systems save companies money they will buy into the technology regardless of the price of oil. Higher hydrocarbon fuel prices just means the ROI is quicker.

Posted by: Lou | Mar 15, 2017 10:37:48 PM

As usual Ford Enters Ford Wins.
Always the leader .

Posted by: FXDX1450 | Mar 15, 2017 4:15:29 PM

Really? Where was Ford when Dodge was building 4x4 trucks?

Where was Ford when Dodge started building solid boxed frames on their trucks?

Where was Ford when Dodge started building Heavy Duty trucks with compression brakes?

Where was Ford when Dodge was building goose neck hitch mounted in the bed of the truck?

I'm not even going to read your link because I already know preview sued Toyota and won, price sued Ford and lost and now peice is suing Hyundai and Kia. Notice a trend? Speaking of trends, did you know FCA has received record fines for hiding and falsifying injury and death data related to their vehicles? Did you know they received record fines for NOT properly recalling their failing junk. Did you know they were raided by the FBI for falsifying sales data. Did you know they are under several investigations for diesel emissions cheating? Talk about a crooked company.

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 16, 2017 5:05:18 AM

That is what Koei Saga said in '15, ford offered nothing said they have better system and ran with Toyota's plans. There was no lawsuit involved that I know of. Would appreciate a link to see it daddy doe

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 15, 2017 9:35:48 PM

Canoe boy, why didnt you paste the rest of it. Like the part where Ford already had its own patents and more in the works. And Toyotas system didn't seem to work with rear wheel drive trucks. Why are you only one sided? Are you a tr0!!

Ford spokesman Said Deep said the U.S. automaker's decision was based on the outcome of the feasibility study. Ford found its own technology better suited for a rear-wheel-drive hybrid system in its pickups and SUVs, he said, without offering specifics or responding directly to Saga's remarks.

"We remain on plan to bring our new hybrid system to market by the end of this decade," Deep said, adding that the system will deliver truck and SUV capability with far greater fuel economy.

Ford already has 150 patents related to its system and another 230 pending, he said.

Problem there daddy doe ford didn't bring anything to table in collaboration regardless of amount of patents held. Koei Saga said they shared a great deal. A poor ethics showing on Ford's part. Any word on that lawsuit over this? Or did you just make it up?

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 16, 2017 5:54:46 AM

Problem there daddy doe ford didn't bring anything to table in collaboration regardless of amount of patents held. Koei Saga said they shared a great deal. A poor ethics showing on Ford's part. Any word on that lawsuit over this? Or did you just make it up?

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 16, 2017 5:54:46 AM

Have you even looked anything up at all or are you still just going on one sentence in an article?

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 16, 2017 6:33:53 AM

WAAAYYY overdue in the F150. Bringing it to the Super Duty will be very cool if it works well. GM has done this in the 1/2 ton segment. The people I know that have them really like them. I know sales volume is not high and don't know what GMs expectations were for them but they (GM) don't seem to ever decide to either stick with it or leave it. Alotta back and forth, on again off again with it. Will be interesting to see what and how Ford does with it. Again I wouldn't think they should be expecting large numbers either.

Posted by: Clint | Mar 16, 2017 6:36:07 AM

Going off the statements both manufacturers made in article. Toyota says ford provided nothing and took plans with them. Ford says we saw what they have and we think we have something better. If you have more info than that I be glad to see it daddy doe.

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 16, 2017 6:57:36 AM

So canoe kid, if Ford states that they have seen what Toyota has and they feel their system works better for them, why did you only post one side of the article to try and make it look like Ford stole ideas and ran when in fact they did not. Remember Toyota is not a large truck manufacturer like Ford so Toyota had more to gain since they both wanted hybrid trucks.

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 16, 2017 7:02:35 AM

HEMI V8: DID ANYONE TELL YOU?----YOU'RE IN 3RD PLACE.

None of your historic blather matters.

Posted by: redbloodedxy | Mar 16, 2017 8:17:27 AM

Don't forget, last place for reliability haha

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 16, 2017 8:27:10 AM

Just the latest on how Ford can steal other peoples hard work because Ford couldn't engineer their way out of a wet paper bag!

XL Hybrids, Lightning Hybrids and Motiv Power Systems keep your systems well guarded or the crooks from Ford will steal them!

Posted by: johnny doe | Mar 16, 2017 9:23:09 AM

Daddy doe Toyota has lead the hybrid market, ford had enough to gain. If it was a collaboration ford should have shared their insight with Toyota, ford take advantage there. In regards of article, if Ford's hybrid design is developed why are they going for upfitters? But seriously I would keep patients a any r&d well kept from any of the auto manufacturers in general.

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 16, 2017 9:27:18 AM

CAnoe, if Toyota is so good, why did they loose the lawsuit from peice

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 16, 2017 9:47:02 AM

FORD: FINANCED ON RIPPEDOFF DESIGNS

Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Mar 16, 2017 10:09:40 AM

Great news Ford, and for consumers. I currently own a hybrid electric car with start/stop technology on it, it is now 3 years old, 42k miles and works flawlessly, and I consistently get 38MPG average mix highway/city. For me, having a truck with a similar powertrain is a big deal especially if they figure out how to use that and still have towing and payload. If they dont figure that out, that this is a bad idea. I have said many times, trucks and MPG worries dont go hand in hand with towing/hauling, but if that tech could actually be a reality I would be all for it. To Papas point, I dont think the idea is relevant as of yet, but the main push should be better emissions,greener, better for the environment, better MPG's.
either way, being that Ford is the leader of trucks, its god to see them let everyone know they are the leader and will continue to be.

Posted by: Nitro | Mar 16, 2017 10:11:02 AM

Reduce the frontal foot print, angle the windshield back and you will can FE right there...

Posted by: Dave | Mar 16, 2017 10:15:22 AM

Never said Toyota waa so good. We can go over Toyota's poor decisions too. They all do them. Daddy doe. Again ford is getting in a position to get something for cheap. It is good idea for ford to do, either buy the company or partner if one takes off well. The turn of events are amazing to me. Lets find out what's coming next.

Canoe kid. Learn to comprehend what you are reading. Toyota is mad because Ford decided to no longer help them to develop a truck. Toyota is not a truck company like Ford is so don't you think they may something to try and appeal to others as if they are a victim? Remember, they were the ones that lost the lawsuit for patient rights, who do you choose to believe.

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 17, 2017 5:09:18 AM

Canoe kid. Learn to comprehend what you are reading. Toyota is mad because Ford decided to no longer help them to develop a truck.

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 17, 2017 5:09:18 AM

That was the funniest comment i've heard in years. Toyota needs no one to help them develop a truck, especially Ford. Toyota was selling hybrids vehicles a decade before Ford. HAHAHA!

Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Mar 17, 2017 7:08:58 AM

Actually GM stole about as much from Toyota as they the US Taxpayer in defaulting on loans the got from Toy in joint development projects. The only thing GM does better than all other manufacturers is getting a pass on going broke while ripping everyone else off.

Posted by: Clint | Mar 17, 2017 8:50:51 AM

Who's product mix needs help reaching future epa goals? Toyota could realistically drop some SUV and trucks from their lineup with minimal loss of investment and sales. Ford and gm mix is something like 75 percent suv/truck correct.

Toyota wasn't mad, there was hurt feeling and a trail of tears. addy doe I like Ford's, but really you are making us look bad.

And fyi
Ford and Paice had entered an "an agreement for the license of Paice's patent" that would lead to a dismissal of existing lawsuits and litigation between them. One way around bad press and it's good business.

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 17, 2017 12:22:55 PM

Let's see, Ford is the truck leader. Toyota is the car leader. Toyota wants to get more into the truck market and seeks Fords assistance as Ford is thinking of possible hybrid solutions. Toyota only specializes in front drive hybrids and so far Ford sees nothing of value from Toyota. Does not seem hard to explain or comprehend at all. It didn't work out and obviously Ford is NOT using toyota hybrid technology because we would all be hearing about that. So far I have not seen any logic from you canoe. And gmssucksogreat has never had any to begin with.

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 17, 2017 1:00:04 PM

Does Toyota want more truck market? Sure doesn't seem like it. I have seen where your logic comes from daddy doe. If Ford does it, it's right. Where you alive in the Reagan years?

Posted by: canoepaddler | Mar 17, 2017 2:05:34 PM

Canoe, if Toyota did not want more truck market why then the merger with Ford on a hybrid truck. Your logic does not make any sense. Especially since their truck is very very old.

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 17, 2017 2:19:06 PM

Let's see, Ford is the truck leader. Toyota is the car leader. Toyota wants to get more into the truck market and seeks Fords assistance as Ford is thinking of possible hybrid solutions.

Posted by: Daddy doe | Mar 17, 2017 1:00:04 PM

Your comments and defense of Ford is both lame and hilarious. Toyota has been building trucks for decades and has had a very successful full size since about 2005. In fact, when Toyota released their full size Tundra, it embarrassed the F-150 in every aspect. Geez!

Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Mar 17, 2017 4:19:48 PM

And their truck is still in 2005 gmssucksogreat. Geez you have consumed a lot of that GM cool aid. Your brain is mush

I spoke to someone(in the know) about how far ahead the military was ahead of the private sector in technology---in some areas 25 other areas 50, in some areas 100 years, my ford f150 from 1981 got 20 mpg, it's impossible to believe they can't do better.